On 9 and 10 December 2024, the 156th CIHEAM Governing Board Meeting was held at its General Secretariat in Paris, bringing together representatives from the 13 member countries and the directors of four institutes of the CIHEAM. Presided by Ms Frida Krifca, the meeting was marked by an atmosphere of collaboration and commitment, addressing strategic issues critical to the future of the organization and its activities.

The detailed reports presented by the CIHEAM Institutes of Bari, Chania, Montpellier, and Zaragoza, as well as the General Secretariat were at the heart of the discussions. The meeting also included a review of the 12th Ministerial Meeting and the high-level scientific meeting held in Rabat on 24 and 25 October 2024. These two events represented a key milestone in advancing discussions on food sovereignty and the sustainability of agri-food systems in the Mediterranean. Additionally, the adoption of the 2025 budget, in the context of a complex economic environment, was a subject of in-depth deliberation.

Another highlight of the meeting was the awarding of the 2024 CIHEAM Youth Innovation Award. This award, which celebrates innovative projects led by young talents, reflects the ongoing commitment of the Organisation to support innovation and entrepreneurship for future generations across the Mediterranean region.

Lastly, it was announced that the 157th Governing Board Meeting will take place in Lisbon on June 26-27, 2025, at the invitation of Mr Nuno Canada, Delegate of Portugal to the CIHEAM and President of the Board of the National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research (Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária). This upcoming governing board meting will provide an opportunity to continue collective efforts to address shared challenges and strengthen Mediterranean cooperation.